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Disney Animation Production Workers Secure Historic First Union Contract

The agreement includes significant wage increases, pension and health benefits, marking a milestone for production management workers in the animation industry.

GLOW UP – In Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Wish,” sharp-witted idealist Asha (voice of Ariana DeBose) makes a wish so powerful, it’s answered by a cosmic force—a little ball of boundless energy called Star. Artists lit the character in a way that makes it luminous—casting a glow onto the surrounding characters and environment. The epic animated musical opens only in theaters on Nov. 22, 2023. © 2023 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

Overview

  • 93% of Walt Disney Animation Studios production management workers voted to ratify their first union contract with 96% voter participation.
  • The contract provides substantial wage increases: 24% for production managers, 29% for production supervisors, and 35% for production coordinators.
  • Workers will now receive pension and health benefits as part of the agreement, which serves as a sideletter to The Animation Guild's preexisting contract with Disney Animation.
  • The unionization effort began in 2022 and faced challenges, including a National Labor Relations Board hearing where Disney argued against the workers' eligibility to unionize; the NLRB ruled in the workers' favor in 2023.
  • This contract is seen as a landmark achievement for animation industry workers and could influence ongoing union negotiations at DreamWorks Animation.